Varsitarian strikes again

UST’s campus publication The Varsitarian hosted its ninth National Campus Journalism Fellowship at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex last week and once more, delivered a strong message to school writers that the formation of a free and responsible press, grounded on media ethics, is worth fighting for.

The annual conference is known as “Inkblots,” one of the most anticipated  events in the country’s yearly calendar for student journalists, campus press advisers, students and teachers.

Joselito Zulueta, UST student publications adviser, described “Inkblots” as a haven for the campus press estate “to recharge tired batteries, reaffirm old but eternal truths and build lasting friendships of the pen and of the truth.”

Behind the “Inkblots” success this year were editorial board member Anthony Divinagracia, internal chairperson Celina Tobias and external chairperson Nathaniel Melican. Working committee heads were Jenny Aguilar, Raychel Agramon, Ruben Asuncion, Kerwin Mercadal, Rieze Calbay, Myla Bantog, Michelle Canoy and Rachel Perez.

The three-day seminar featured Pennie Azarcon de la Cuz as keynote speaker and lectures from Christian Esguerra (newswriting), Ruel de Vera (culture and lifestyle writing), Nestor Cuartero (features writing), Jaileen Jimeno (investigative writing), Volt Contreras (news writing workshop), Michael Coroza (Filipino writing), Ernie Sarmiento (photo journalism), Lyra Garcellano (cartooning), Conrado de Quiros (column writing), Jiggy Manicad (writing for broadcast), Felipe Salvosa (campus paper management), Alice Colet-Villadolid (journalism ethics) and this writer (sportswriting). Additionally, Nestor Torre, Marites Vitug and Howie Severino spoke in a panel discussion on journalism ethics in the climax of the conference.

In all, there were 232 participants from 28 schools all over the country, including Quantum Academy in General Santos City, Aquinas University of Legazpi City, Holy Angel University and the University of the Assumption in Pampanga, Ateneo de Davao, Sorsogon State College, Palawan State University, Cagayan State University, La Salle Lipa, Bulacan State University, Emilio Aguinaldo College of Cavite, La Salle Dasmarinas, Philippine Normal University, Siena College, Bernardo College, Casimiro Ynares Sr. Memorial High School, Philippine Christian University, Far Eastern University, La Salle Manila and Sta. Isabel College.

For my part, I spoke about sportswriting and conducted a mock press conference with UST basketball coach Pido Jarencio in the hotseat. After an opening statement, Jarencio was grilled by the campus writers and sweated it out for nearly an hour. He was applauded heartily for his candid reactions and taking time off his busy schedule to inspire the journalists.

I asked the students to write a piece in their own style on the mock press conference. I chose the best five entries and awarded prizes from The Philippine Star, Molten, Adidas and ESPN.

Here are excerpts from the five winning entries.

First prize—Alessi Brugada, 16, first year, nursing, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Memorial Schools, Makati Medical Center.

“Resilience beyond all doubt, perseverance that extends beyond what was thought humanly possible and the courage that guarantees exhaltation in both victory and defeat. This is what lies in the heart of every game. This is the power few people like coach Pido can handle.”

Second prize—Miguel Antonio, 13, Quantum Academy.

“Basketball is a sport that requires interaction between the players and coach. Pido Jarencio said there is no good master without good disciples. As a coach, he doesn’t put himself first. He always acknowledges the effort of all his players. The essence of having a good team and an excellent performance is possible with the great aid of the head of the body. Without the control center, movement towards success wouldn’t be possible. It is always the head that navigates the way. Either to success or defeat.”

Third prize—Aaron John del Rosario, 19, UST.

“Dinala ni ‘The Fireman’ ang kanyang karanasan sa basketbol pabalik sa eskwelahang humuboy sa kanya bilang isang magaling na manlalaro upang ipamahagi ang kanyang kagalingan sa mga batang nangangarap na sundan ang kanyang mga yapak. Tinulungan ni Jarencio ang UST/Growling Tigers upang makamit ang UAAP basketball championships noong 2006 bilang head coach ng napakabatang team na ito. ‘Tatlong Ps—pride, puso at palaban,’ sabi ni Jarencio. Ayon sa kanya, ang mga salitang ito ang kanyang dala-dala sa lahat ng kanyang mga ginagawa.”

Fourth prize—Jonathan Sander Chan Tcheng, 21, nursing, UST.

“Pressured to finally bring something back after the 10-year title drought, coach Pido needed to move fast. Drawing from his past exposure to the many basketball legends of the time, Pido decided to flex his leadership and call in a team not only designed to win the year’s cup but next year’s and the succeeding cups as well. Moving forward, they waded through toil and pain, enduring cold mornings and braving the challenge from the current reigning giants in the field.”

Fifth prize—Audrey Morallo, 17, first year, journalism, UST.

“Believe it or not, he started as a volleyball player… in Project 3 elementary school where he was named Athlete of the Year. Pido Jarencio was able to carry to high school his volleyball angst where he again bagged the Athlete of the Year award from second to fourth year in his stay at Quirino High. His thirst for basketball became evident in college. He first tried out in Trinity College under coach Turo Valenzona but decided to go to UST. There, he competed with 200 others to get one of four slots allotted to freshmen. Luckily, he was tapped by God’s hand and made it to the final cut.”

Congratulations to the winners, participants and organizers. More power to “Inkblots” and The Varsitarian.